Testimonial
Bio
When 702 was in its first year of broadcasting in
1981, all the research indicated that John Berks was
the clear favourite among listeners. He joined 702
(the first successful independent station in South
Africa) as the morning anchor which began 702’s
meteoric rise to success. As the broadcasting
environment changed and FM Stereo was introduced
in the mid 80s, the AM 702 needed to reposition and
became the first talk radio station in South Africa.
John Berks, who was already famous for his
irreverent humour and golden voice, pioneered talk
radio in South Africa as 702 transformed from a
music to talk format.
John Berks took two breaks during his twenty-one
year history with 702 and both times was asked to
come back because of listener demands – both
times he proved his pulling power with the
audiences. Over the years he has proved to be an
engaging story-teller, reading his audience with
almost radar perception, with a brand of humour that
is “human” – not just South African. He has traveled
extensively to both the United States and Australia on
an annual basis to visit and study international
broadcasting trends.
John Berks’ broadcasting history is well-documented
in the archives of the print media. He has attracted
more media attention than any other radio personality
in South Africa, and consistently has had the highest
ratings on 702 at any time of its existence. Although
no longer on air by his own choice, he is known as
the “King of Broadcasting” in South Africa and has
earned a place in the hearts of hundreds of
thousands of people.
When 702 was in its first year of broadcasting in
1981, all the research indicated that John Berks was
the clear favourite among listeners. He joined 702
(the first successful independent station in South
Africa) as the morning anchor which began 702’s
meteoric rise to success. As the broadcasting
environment changed and FM Stereo was introduced
in the mid 80s, the AM 702 needed to reposition and
became the first talk radio station in South Africa.
John Berks, who was already famous for his
irreverent humour and golden voice, pioneered talk
radio in South Africa as 702 transformed from a
music to talk format.
John Berks took two breaks during his twenty-one
year history with 702 and both times was asked to
come back because of listener demands – both
times he proved his pulling power with the
audiences. Over the years he has proved to be an
engaging story-teller, reading his audience with
almost radar perception, with a brand of humour that
is “human” – not just South African. He has traveled
extensively to both the United States and Australia on
an annual basis to visit and study international
broadcasting trends.
John Berks’ broadcasting history is well-documented
in the archives of the print media. He has attracted
more media attention than any other radio personality
in South Africa, and consistently has had the highest
ratings on 702 at any time of its existence. Although
no longer on air by his own choice, he is known as
the “King of Broadcasting” in South Africa and has
earned a place in the hearts of hundreds of
thousands of people.
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Bio